Read Online Dawn's Early Light by Pip Ballantine - Free Book Online Page A

slid a single key across the blotter towards Wellington. “I will instruct the bellman to see to your luggage.”
    â€œThank you,” Wellington managed, wincing slightly at Eliza’s sudden squeeze of his bicep. They were ten paces away from the desk before he asked his partner through a forced smile, “I do believe I apologised for what happened at the Phoenix Society. Several times.”
    â€œJust hedging my bets, Welly,” she began through her own tight smile. “Simply making my presence—and my voice—known to all at the outset.”
    â€œDid you wish to include all of North
and
South Carolina in your proclamation as well?”
    She gave a slight chuckle. “Oh, Wellington, you know how I indulge in excess.”
    He went to retort, but paused in mid-step. He then pulled gently on Eliza’s arm, and guided her towards an easel. The announcement written there lightened his mood considerably. Perhaps his first official field assignment would yield a promising diversion or two:
    We are proud to bring you
    Edison’s Electrical Extravaganza
    SATURDAY!
    The Amazing
    THOMAS EDISON
    and his discussion of
    ELECTRICITY
    IN THE HOME!
    EIGHT O’CLOCK
    Reception to follow event
    â€œReginald?”
    Yanked back to reality, Wellington turned to look at Eliza, who was casting her gaze between him and the poster. He hated how transparent he was when around her.
    â€œBut it’s our honeymoon,” she proclaimed, then adding, rather louder than necessary,
“Dear.”
    Yes, no mistaking it. That was a warning.
    â€œI understand that, Esther, but this is Thomas Alva Edison,” he returned.
Please, Eliza,
he pleaded internally,
please understand.
“Appearing here! In the Outer Banks of North Carolina! During our stay here at the Retreat! What are the chances?”
    â€œBut there is—
so
—
much
—for us to do while we are here,” Eliza said, her character remaining intact but glimmers of annoyance flashing in her eyes. “Our time in the Carolinas will simply blink by.”
    â€œWe have five nights in the Carolinas, my sweet,” immediately tumbled off his tongue. It frightened him a bit how calling her “my sweet” came to him so easily. Not that he minded. “And yes, I promised to show you all the sights of this quaint beach resort, but you know”—and she did know—“how much I enjoy the sciences. This is just for one night. When else would such an opportunity like this present itself? Not only to hear the proficient inventor speak but to actually meet him in person?” he asked, motioning to the reception announcement.
    Eliza’s mouth twisted into a grimace. “Really, Reginald, I fail to see what is so fascinating about a man carrying a death wish. He is tampering with forces of nature, believing he can control the elements and bring them into fine establishments such as this?” She clicked her tongue. “No thank you.”
    He was not going to give up on this so easily. “But, Esther,
darling
, this is a once-in-a”—and his voice dropped to almost a whisper as he muttered—“bloody”—then shot back to full volume on—“lifetime chance to meet one of the greatest scientific innovators of our time.” He was begging. He really didn’t care. “Please?”
    â€œWell, I certainly have no intention of attending with you, Reginald,” Eliza answered.
    A throat cleared behind them. “I would love to attend.”
    Both Wellington and Eliza turned slowly. Felicity’s face lit up with a friendly smile as they made eye contact.
    â€œMy own husband”—here she gave a wide sweep of her arm to indicate Bill standing nearby—“does not really have a mind for the sciences. Would you mind, sir, serving as my chaperone?” She took a deep breath before going on. “Seeing as we are two newly wed couples vacationing